Davis Cup: Germany thanks to Alexander Zverev’s second win against Brazil in the group phase

After a successful day at work, Alexander Zverev quickly packed his bag and left the tennis arena in the Parque Olimpico without much jubilation. The Olympic champion led the German Davis Cup team to victory in the qualification duel in Brazil. The third in the world rankings also won his second singles on Saturday evening, with the point to 3:1, the selection of the German Tennis Association (DTB) made it into the top 16 teams.

“After our failure in the semi-finals last year, it was clear to us that we really wanted to get into the group phase,” said captain Michael Kohlmann, who was extremely satisfied with his team: “Now we can wait and see what the draw is like and where the group phase will take place .” There is “a small chance” of a home game in Germany. “That would be a huge thing for all of us,” said Kohlmann.

Zverev didn’t let the loud audience in Rio de Janeiro upset him and cleared the last doubts with a 6: 1, 7: 5 against Brazilian number one Thiago Monteiro. Before the decisive match, Kevin Krawietz and Tim Pütz had brought Germany back into the lead at the beginning of the second day of competition.

Zverev got the first point on Friday

Zverev also had to deal with heckling before his serves. He last played in the Davis Cup in 2019 and was now convincing in his first two matches after his much-discussed disqualification in Acapulco. He had to fend off a set ball against Monteiro in the second round and then made everything clear a little later.

He had already lived up to his role as a favorite on Friday evening with a 6: 4, 6: 2 against Thiago Seyboth Wild, but Struff was unable to use the template in the 3: 6, 6: 1, 3: 6 against Monteiro. Ultimately, however, the defeat had no consequences.

It continues with the group phase of the traditional competition in September. The knockout round from the quarter-finals will take place at the end of November, the venues are not yet known. Last year, the DTB selection advanced to the semifinals without Zverev.

(SID)